John Wick: Chapter 3—Parabellum Gets More Bloody, Absurd, and Gorgeous

During a brief lull in the frenzied and vicious violence splattering across the screen in John Wick: Chapter 3—Parabellum, one rival assassin (Mark Dacascos) who has been hunting our titular antihero takes a moment to gush that he’s a big fan. He remarks with glee how much a legend Wick is in his crusade to live and get revenge on the assassin society that has wronged him. There are others as well who have heard of the brutal and efficient killer and react with similar honor to be in his presence. And while this self-aware film does get a little old in noting its awesomeness, I can’t deny it delivers another dazzling action ballet.

John Wick (Keanu Reeves) and the Director (Anjelica Huston) in John Wick: Chapter 3. Lionsgate

The story resumes right where we last left John Wick (Keanu Reeves), on the run in New York City as the massive underground network of assassins prepares to send everything it has at the man who broke the rules of assassins to get his revenge. With Wick having gone on a rampage in the previous two films, making himself more prolific than his previous reputation and carrying a rather hefty price tag on his head, everyone wants a piece of him. But it’s not enough for the elusive High Table of killers, the bosses of Wick’s bosses, who are not happy with how the situation has been handled. In comes the Adjudicator (Asia Kate Dillon) to assess the many underground factions of the Bowery, led by the Bowery King (Laurence Fishburne); a Russian theater stronghold led by the Director (Anjelica Huston); and, of course, the classy hotel for killers, the Continental, managed by the wise Winston (Ian McShane). All of them are questioned by the High Table for not taking Wick as seriously as they should have, and they may be in more trouble than Wick himself.

While all that killer-organization politics is certainly intriguing, let’s face it: the centerpiece of this action feast is Reeves and his fast and fierce fight sequences. Every location becomes a decadent and tantalizing battleground as Wick prepares to fight nearly everyone in the world for his life. A killer in the library? A book should do nicely for a brutal kill. Horse stable? Well, those animals have quite the kick. A whole room overflowing with knives? You better believe Wick is going to use every single one of them.

But Wick isn’t alone on his side in this action fiesta. While seeking passage and audiences, he runs across bitter and stern allies. Though most are able to keep up well enough with Wick’s body count, it’s ultimately Halle Berry in the role of retired assassin Sofia who is most able to hold her own. Not only is she as well coordinated and quick with a gun as our hero, but she also has the additional support of two canine companions that are exceptionally skilled at ripping enemies to shreds with great speed. That’s right—in this film, the dogs finally bite back. And their attacks are just as impressive to watch as Reeves’s efficiency with a gun and knife.

John Wick gets an ally in Sofia and her faithful canines. Lionsgate

Other supporting actors provide an extra layer of charismatic fun. Having looked after Wick’s new dog in the previous film, Continental concierge Charon (Lance Reddick) has proven to be a trustworthy companion and a great help when it comes to laying to armored killers. And how could you not love the calculated smarts and dry wit of Ian McShane, so in control of his role as the hotel’s manager? He can eat the scenery so well he takes a break to have some wine while watching the violence unfold.

Trying to write about how much fun this film is hearkens back to trying to relay the joy of Mad Max: Fury Road. I recall Mark Kermode breaking down his enjoyment in making car sounds in his radio review. As it was with Fury Road, a common criticism of Chapter 3 will be that it is little more than a series of fight sequences, sparse on the expository or deeper characterization past short-and-sweet banter. But just like Fury Road, it’s the best damn series of fights ever staged. How can one possibly gush any more about the brilliant assembly of a high-speed bridge fight on motorcycles with swords? I’m seriously at a loss for words to convey the disorienting ecstasy of the colorful climax in which Wick does battle in a massive skyscraper room of all glass and many lights, making the hall of mirrors from Chapter 2 seem almost quaint in assembly.

The man himself. Lionsgate

The third chapter of John Wick’s story presents a refined action steak that trims off even more of the fat than the previous films to provide the juiciest piece high-speed cinema. The world of Wick has now become so beautifully engaging with its astonishing cinematography and charming players that such questions as “Where are the cops?” or “How are there thousands upon thousands of assassins all trying to kill our hero?” drift away. Rather than get lost in the logistics of making this scenario believable, the franchise merely continues on with its biggest strength: letting Reeves and company go on a nonstop fight train with the brakes snipped. And by this point in the saga, Wick’s personality and politics are so crystal clear that we don’t need heaps of exposition to be invested—just lots and lots of stunning spectacles of violence most vibrant and exhilarating.

Action, action, action. Lionsgate